Call for Applications: Agribusiness Growth Challenge 2026 Offers €6,000 Award

Young agripreneurs in Nigeria and other eligible African countries can apply for the 2026 Agribusiness Growth Challenge, an initiative offering free business training and an opportunity to compete for awards worth up to €6,000.

Organised by the Agri-Business Facility for Africa (ABF) through its Agribusiness e-Academy, the programme is designed to help emerging agricultural entrepreneurs strengthen their business models, improve climate resilience and prepare their ventures for sustainable growth.

The initiative is implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, with support from development partners, including the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

What the Agribusiness Growth Challenge Offers

Successful applicants stand a chance to receive one of the following Business Growth Awards:

• €6,000 in business growth funding to support the development or expansion of an eligible agribusiness.
• A Dell Pro 14 Essential laptop to support business planning, management and productivity.
• A place in a six-month agribusiness mentoring programme to help strengthen business operations and growth prospects.

These awards are competitive alternatives, meaning applicants should not expect to receive all three benefits. Completing the training also does not guarantee an award, as submissions will be assessed on their merits.

Who Can Apply?

The competition is open to young and emerging agripreneurs who meet the following requirements:

• Must be at least 18 years old.
• Must reside in a member country of the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), which includes Nigeria.
• Must have a business idea or agribusiness project connected to one of the eligible agricultural value chains.
• Must complete the three mandatory online training courses before submitting an application.

Eligible Agribusiness Sectors

For the 2026 competition, submitted business ideas must focus on at least one of the following value chains:

• Maize production and related business activities.
• Livestock, specifically cattle, sheep or goats.
• Cashew production and processing.
• Cocoa production and processing.

Applicants should ensure that their proposals clearly relate to one or more of these eligible sectors. Ideas outside the specified value chains will not qualify for consideration.

Mandatory Free Online Training

Before submitting their business proposals, applicants must complete three courses through the Agribusiness e-Academy on the atingi learning platform.

The courses are:

1. Climate-Smart Agribusiness: Adaptation — teaches participants how to identify and respond to climate-related risks affecting agricultural businesses.
2. Business Model Canvas — helps entrepreneurs structure their business ideas, identify customers and develop viable revenue models.
3. Creating an Investment-Ready Agribusiness — guides participants in preparing their businesses for growth, financing and potential investment.

The first two courses can be completed in either order. Participants must finish both before proceeding to the final course, Creating an Investment-Ready Agribusiness.

Applicants must provide a valid certificate ID from the final course when submitting their proposals. Applications without the required certificate ID will not be accepted. Participation and the mandatory training are free.

What Applicants Must Submit

After completing the courses, eligible entrepreneurs must prepare and submit their business models through the designated application form.

The submission should explain:

• The business concept and its potential for growth.
• How the proposed venture will respond to climate risks or incorporate climate-smart practices.
• The business’s revenue model and how it intends to generate income.
• The estimated capital required to establish, operate or expand the venture.

Applicants should ensure that all required information is completed accurately and that their proposals demonstrate commercial viability and a clear pathway to sustainable growth.

How to Apply for the Agribusiness Growth Challenge 2026

Interested entrepreneurs should follow these steps:

1. Visit the atingi online learning platform and access the Agribusiness e-Academy.
2. Enrol in and complete all three mandatory courses.
3. Obtain the certificate ID issued after completing Creating an Investment-Ready Agribusiness.
4. Develop a business model that meets the competition’s eligibility and sector requirements.
5. Submit the completed proposal through the official Agribusiness Facility for Africa funding page, following the designated application instructions.

Applicants should consult the official programme page for the submission form and full terms and conditions before applying.

Application Deadline

The deadline for the current application window is October 30, 2026.

Eligible entrepreneurs are encouraged to begin the free training as early as possible to allow sufficient time to complete the courses and prepare their submissions before the deadline.

For further information, visit the Agribusiness Facility for Africa or the official opportunity listing